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From Administrative Acumen to the Bench: Synopsis of Justice Targema’s Profile---Very Informative!


2047 Sunday 1st September 2019

 

 

His Lordship, Hon. Justice John Targema hails from Vandeikya Local Government Area of Benue State, Nigeria.

 

His Lordship obtained the First School Leaving Certificate at the NKST Primary School, Mbaakon-Kunav and proceeded to the W.M. Bristow Secondary School, Gboko, Benue State for the West African School Certificate (WASC).

 

Propelled by the undying thirst to be educated, He studied at the Murtala College of Arts, Science and Technology, Makurdi, Benue State for IJMB and HSC Exams and thereafter proceeded to the prestigious Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State for LL.B.

 

Justice Targema attended Nigerian Law School, Lagos and was called to the Nigerian Bar as Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in 1984.

 

In furtherance of my Lord commitment to adequate knowledge of Law, Justice Targema obtained Mater of Laws LL.M at the University of Jos, Nigeria.

 

To crown it all, the notable University of Jos also found him worthy excellence in Knowledge and Character awarded him Doctor [Ph.D.] in Law.

 

After the mandatory National Youth Service Corps Scheme at the Plateau State Ministry of Justice in 1984, Justice Targema cut his teeth under the Law Firm of Paul R. V. Belabo & Co. (Adzandeh Chambers) in Makurdi, Benue State.

 

Furthermore, My Lord established his personal Law Firm, John Targema & Co. (Attorneys- at- Law) in 1987.

 

In 1996, At a time when direct contribution to the father’s land became important, Justice Targema began his public service career as the Company Secretary/ Legal Adviser at the National Metallurgical Development Centre (NMDC) Jos – a Research and Development Parastatal under the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development and from there moved to the National Industrial Court of Nigeria on November 1, 2006, as Deputy Chief Registrar; a position he held until he was appointed the Acting Chief Registrar of the Court on May 23, 2013.

 

After the demonstration of administrative acumen, He was confirmed as the substantive Chief Registrar in 2014 by the Federal Judicial Service Commission; and served in that capacity until 14th July 2017 when he was sworn in as a Judge of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria by the then Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Walter Onnoghen

 

Justice Targema has authored some published works including; The Law, Cases, and Materials on Torts in Nigeria, Basic Settled Principles in Industrial and Labour Law Jurisprudence in Nigeria; Conceptual and Practical Analysis of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) – A chapter contribution to Emerging Issues in Nigerian Law: A Collection of Essays in Honour of Hon. Justice B. A. Adejumo, OFR, President, National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Edited by A. Okoh Alubo, et al to name a few.

 

He has also presented an impressive array of well researched academic papers at various workshops in Nigeria.

 

Justice Targema is a Member of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Fellow, Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators (FICMC); Member, International Association for Court Administration (IACA), and the International Bar Association (IBA).

 

His Lordship is widely traveled, and happily married and bountifully blessed with children and grandchildren.